One option being explored would be for parking both on roadsides and in council-run car parks to be free on Sundays.

But a new council reports states that it would cost the authority a one-off fee of £1 million to change signs and would lead to an additional annual loss of £2.6 million in parking ticket, parking permit and parking fine income.

The report also warns that free parking would increase congestion and lower air quality.

A second option of free use of council-run car parks in the city is estimated to cost just under £1 million a year and so councillors are being advised to back a third option to look at different options during the annual review of charges later in the year.

The issue was brought before council after a petition launched by local Liberal Democrat Jeremy Gale gained more than 1250 signatures.

Councillor Jason Kitcat, chair of the policy and resources committee, said: “Offering free parking on a Sunday is likely to create more congestion and actually make it harder for those driving to find a parking space.

"That would have a negative impact on our economy. Retail research shows that parking controls encourage a turnover of customers that benefits nearby shops.”

Comments (29)

" Councillor Jason Kitcat, chair of the policy and resources committee, said: “Offering free parking on a Sunday is likely to create more congestion and actually make it harder for those driving to find a parking space.

"That would have a negative impact on our economy. Retail research shows that parking controls encourage a turnover of customers that benefits nearby shops.” "

So he admits that parking fees deter people from coming to Brighton on a Sunday.

That's probably the intention, although why he is happy for people NOT to shop wasn't explained.

" Councillor Jason Kitcat, chair of the policy and resources committee, said: “Offering free parking on a Sunday is likely to create more congestion and actually make it harder for those driving to find a parking space.
"That would have a negative impact on our economy. Retail research shows that parking controls encourage a turnover of customers that benefits nearby shops.” "
So he admits that parking fees deter people from coming to Brighton on a Sunday.
That's probably the intention, although why he is happy for people NOT to shop wasn't explained.ZeeGee, ffs

ZeeGee, ffs wrote:
&quot; Councillor Jason Kitcat, chair of the policy and resources committee, said: “Offering free parking on a Sunday is likely to create more congestion and actually make it harder for those driving to find a parking space.

"That would have a negative impact on our economy. Retail research shows that parking controls encourage a turnover of customers that benefits nearby shops.” "

So he admits that parking fees deter people from coming to Brighton on a Sunday.

That's probably the intention, although why he is happy for people NOT to shop wasn't explained.

There are some well respected studies on this from Nantes and San Francisco - if parking is too cheap then the spaces get blocked by day trippers or commuters and residents coming to do their shopping can't easily find a parking space, so the time wasted driving round hunting for a space cuts into their available shopping time.

Can I remind everyone that the city council is facing a budget shortfall of £25 million next year thanks to the government's austerity programme.

I hope Labour and Tories do their homework on this before spending £3.5 million on an election year gimmick.

[quote][p][bold]ZeeGee, ffs[/bold] wrote:
" Councillor Jason Kitcat, chair of the policy and resources committee, said: “Offering free parking on a Sunday is likely to create more congestion and actually make it harder for those driving to find a parking space.
"That would have a negative impact on our economy. Retail research shows that parking controls encourage a turnover of customers that benefits nearby shops.” "
So he admits that parking fees deter people from coming to Brighton on a Sunday.
That's probably the intention, although why he is happy for people NOT to shop wasn't explained.[/p][/quote]There are some well respected studies on this from Nantes and San Francisco - if parking is too cheap then the spaces get blocked by day trippers or commuters and residents coming to do their shopping can't easily find a parking space, so the time wasted driving round hunting for a space cuts into their available shopping time.
Can I remind everyone that the city council is facing a budget shortfall of £25 million next year thanks to the government's austerity programme.
I hope Labour and Tories do their homework on this before spending £3.5 million on an election year gimmick.Eugenius

It is not a cost of £3.5m but actually £1m the other £2.5m is actually income that isn't guaranteed anyway.Also some of the traffic enforcement Officers could have a day off on a Sunday . Also they could make it free on Public Holidays like they used to now you even have to pay on Christmas Day

It is not a cost of £3.5m but actually £1m the other £2.5m is actually income that isn't guaranteed anyway.Also some of the traffic enforcement Officers could have a day off on a Sunday . Also they could make it free on Public Holidays like they used to now you even have to pay on Christmas Dayrolivan

Another way of putting is to say that £3.5 million would no longer be greedily grabbed from the motorist, rather than implying that it would be a loss. How easy it is to twist the facts around.

Another way of putting is to say that £3.5 million would no longer be greedily grabbed from the motorist, rather than implying that it would be a loss. How easy it is to twist the facts around.hoveguyactually

rolivan wrote:
It is not a cost of £3.5m but actually £1m the other £2.5m is actually income that isn't guaranteed anyway.Also some of the traffic enforcement Officers could have a day off on a Sunday . Also they could make it free on Public Holidays like they used to now you even have to pay on Christmas Day

The council has solid data on daily takings at each car park for the last few years so that estimate will be accurate.

If parking enforcement officers are working to a contract that includes Sundays that is their choice and they probably need the income. Pretty sure there is no way that the council can say - "don't come to work this weekend, and by the way we're not going to pay you as we agreed", that would be immoral and illegal.

[quote][p][bold]rolivan[/bold] wrote:
It is not a cost of £3.5m but actually £1m the other £2.5m is actually income that isn't guaranteed anyway.Also some of the traffic enforcement Officers could have a day off on a Sunday . Also they could make it free on Public Holidays like they used to now you even have to pay on Christmas Day[/p][/quote]The council has solid data on daily takings at each car park for the last few years so that estimate will be accurate.
If parking enforcement officers are working to a contract that includes Sundays that is their choice and they probably need the income. Pretty sure there is no way that the council can say - "don't come to work this weekend, and by the way we're not going to pay you as we agreed", that would be immoral and illegal.Eugenius

The Green Party could not possibly be seen to do something that would actually help local businesses could they ? Don't forget that this self-indulgent mob detest the car and the motorist and just look upon them as a cash cow. However within twelve months they will be consigned to the political dustbin, hopefully never to be seen again.

The Green Party could not possibly be seen to do something that would actually help local businesses could they ? Don't forget that this self-indulgent mob detest the car and the motorist and just look upon them as a cash cow. However within twelve months they will be consigned to the political dustbin, hopefully never to be seen again.keswick

rolivan wrote:
It is not a cost of £3.5m but actually £1m the other £2.5m is actually income that isn't guaranteed anyway.Also some of the traffic enforcement Officers could have a day off on a Sunday . Also they could make it free on Public Holidays like they used to now you even have to pay on Christmas Day

The council has solid data on daily takings at each car park for the last few years so that estimate will be accurate.

If parking enforcement officers are working to a contract that includes Sundays that is their choice and they probably need the income. Pretty sure there is no way that the council can say - &quot;don't come to work this weekend, and by the way we're not going to pay you as we agreed", that would be immoral and illegal.

So are you saying that they work 7 days a week, I think they don't so they work to a roster and not all of them would work Sundays and those that did would have days off during the week . As for your remark about estimates there is nowhere that word is used and an estimate is such and not an accurate Cost . Surely they have a contact to work so many hours a week or month and ma age mentioned would be responsible for fitting them all into a roster.

[quote][p][bold]Eugenius[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]rolivan[/bold] wrote:
It is not a cost of £3.5m but actually £1m the other £2.5m is actually income that isn't guaranteed anyway.Also some of the traffic enforcement Officers could have a day off on a Sunday . Also they could make it free on Public Holidays like they used to now you even have to pay on Christmas Day[/p][/quote]The council has solid data on daily takings at each car park for the last few years so that estimate will be accurate.
If parking enforcement officers are working to a contract that includes Sundays that is their choice and they probably need the income. Pretty sure there is no way that the council can say - "don't come to work this weekend, and by the way we're not going to pay you as we agreed", that would be immoral and illegal.[/p][/quote]So are you saying that they work 7 days a week, I think they don't so they work to a roster and not all of them would work Sundays and those that did would have days off during the week . As for your remark about estimates there is nowhere that word is used and an estimate is such and not an accurate Cost . Surely they have a contact to work so many hours a week or month and ma age mentioned would be responsible for fitting them all into a roster.rolivan

Offer the free parking to cars that are most eco friendly and do not pay road tax, encourage cleaner cars, these get free congestion zone in London so it an be done. if someone is coming to brighton for the day then they do not want to be restricted to a couple of hours stay, they just wont come. better to have them here all day spending money in the shops and restaurants.

Offer the free parking to cars that are most eco friendly and do not pay road tax, encourage cleaner cars, these get free congestion zone in London so it an be done. if someone is coming to brighton for the day then they do not want to be restricted to a couple of hours stay, they just wont come. better to have them here all day spending money in the shops and restaurants.bug eye

bug eye wrote:
Offer the free parking to cars that are most eco friendly and do not pay road tax, encourage cleaner cars, these get free congestion zone in London so it an be done. if someone is coming to brighton for the day then they do not want to be restricted to a couple of hours stay, they just wont come. better to have them here all day spending money in the shops and restaurants.

Council does already give a 50% discount on resident parking permits for low emission vehicles. Not sure how you could possibly check that at off-street car parks though?? And for day trippers parking in residents' spaces (very kind of you to offer) surely you'd need some national scheme so the Enforcement Officers knew not to issue a ticket.

[quote][p][bold]bug eye[/bold] wrote:
Offer the free parking to cars that are most eco friendly and do not pay road tax, encourage cleaner cars, these get free congestion zone in London so it an be done. if someone is coming to brighton for the day then they do not want to be restricted to a couple of hours stay, they just wont come. better to have them here all day spending money in the shops and restaurants.[/p][/quote]Council does already give a 50% discount on resident parking permits for low emission vehicles. Not sure how you could possibly check that at off-street car parks though?? And for day trippers parking in residents' spaces (very kind of you to offer) surely you'd need some national scheme so the Enforcement Officers knew not to issue a ticket.Eugenius

Good old Kitcat – so let’s double parking costs on Sundays to reduce congestion, reduce emissions, increase council parking revenues and encourage visitors to do business in the city?

In fact why not triple parking costs – that must be even better?

What an anti-capitalist eco-activist ideological idiot he is – no wonder his own business has apparently gone bust!

Good old Kitcat – so let’s double parking costs on Sundays to reduce congestion, reduce emissions, increase council parking revenues and encourage visitors to do business in the city?
In fact why not triple parking costs – that must be even better?
What an anti-capitalist eco-activist ideological idiot he is – no wonder his own business has apparently gone bust!pachallis

pachallis wrote:
Good old Kitcat – so let’s double parking costs on Sundays to reduce congestion, reduce emissions, increase council parking revenues and encourage visitors to do business in the city?

In fact why not triple parking costs – that must be even better?

What an anti-capitalist eco-activist ideological idiot he is – no wonder his own business has apparently gone bust!

You do know that parking charges have been frozen for the last two years running?

[quote][p][bold]pachallis[/bold] wrote:
Good old Kitcat – so let’s double parking costs on Sundays to reduce congestion, reduce emissions, increase council parking revenues and encourage visitors to do business in the city?
In fact why not triple parking costs – that must be even better?
What an anti-capitalist eco-activist ideological idiot he is – no wonder his own business has apparently gone bust![/p][/quote]You do know that parking charges have been frozen for the last two years running?Eugenius

pachallis wrote:
Good old Kitcat – so let’s double parking costs on Sundays to reduce congestion, reduce emissions, increase council parking revenues and encourage visitors to do business in the city?

In fact why not triple parking costs – that must be even better?

What an anti-capitalist eco-activist ideological idiot he is – no wonder his own business has apparently gone bust!

You do know that parking charges have been frozen for the last two years running?

I guess you aren't going to reply to my response?

[quote][p][bold]Eugenius[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]pachallis[/bold] wrote:
Good old Kitcat – so let’s double parking costs on Sundays to reduce congestion, reduce emissions, increase council parking revenues and encourage visitors to do business in the city?
In fact why not triple parking costs – that must be even better?
What an anti-capitalist eco-activist ideological idiot he is – no wonder his own business has apparently gone bust![/p][/quote]You do know that parking charges have been frozen for the last two years running?[/p][/quote]I guess you aren't going to reply to my response?rolivan

rolivan wrote:
It is not a cost of £3.5m but actually £1m the other £2.5m is actually income that isn't guaranteed anyway.Also some of the traffic enforcement Officers could have a day off on a Sunday . Also they could make it free on Public Holidays like they used to now you even have to pay on Christmas Day

The council has solid data on daily takings at each car park for the last few years so that estimate will be accurate.

If parking enforcement officers are working to a contract that includes Sundays that is their choice and they probably need the income. Pretty sure there is no way that the council can say - &quot;don't come to work this weekend, and by the way we're not going to pay you as we agreed", that would be immoral and illegal.

So are you saying that they work 7 days a week, I think they don't so they work to a roster and not all of them would work Sundays and those that did would have days off during the week . As for your remark about estimates there is nowhere that word is used and an estimate is such and not an accurate Cost . Surely they have a contact to work so many hours a week or month and ma age mentioned would be responsible for fitting them all into a roster.

I don't comment on things I don't know the answer to.

No, I wasn't saying they worked 7 days a week. I don't know whether their rotas are agreed weekly or on a more permanent basis but they probably get extra pay for Sunday working.

[quote][p][bold]rolivan[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Eugenius[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]rolivan[/bold] wrote:
It is not a cost of £3.5m but actually £1m the other £2.5m is actually income that isn't guaranteed anyway.Also some of the traffic enforcement Officers could have a day off on a Sunday . Also they could make it free on Public Holidays like they used to now you even have to pay on Christmas Day[/p][/quote]The council has solid data on daily takings at each car park for the last few years so that estimate will be accurate.
If parking enforcement officers are working to a contract that includes Sundays that is their choice and they probably need the income. Pretty sure there is no way that the council can say - "don't come to work this weekend, and by the way we're not going to pay you as we agreed", that would be immoral and illegal.[/p][/quote]So are you saying that they work 7 days a week, I think they don't so they work to a roster and not all of them would work Sundays and those that did would have days off during the week . As for your remark about estimates there is nowhere that word is used and an estimate is such and not an accurate Cost . Surely they have a contact to work so many hours a week or month and ma age mentioned would be responsible for fitting them all into a roster.[/p][/quote]I don't comment on things I don't know the answer to.
No, I wasn't saying they worked 7 days a week. I don't know whether their rotas are agreed weekly or on a more permanent basis but they probably get extra pay for Sunday working.Eugenius

What a lovely expensive gift to give exclusively to the comparatively affluent motorists of the city. Sacrificing 3.5million pounds of council revenue just to stop one spoilt-brat, swing-voter group of residents from crying, while being of no benefit to the 40% of residents/households that don't own a car.

Won't it be a lovely improvement to the town having more noisy traffic polluting the streets on a Sunday, going for a nice relaxing weekend stroll in our lovely town surrounded by more traffic than ever. Mmmm, I love the smell of diesel on a Sunday

What a lovely expensive gift to give exclusively to the comparatively affluent motorists of the city. Sacrificing 3.5million pounds of council revenue just to stop one spoilt-brat, swing-voter group of residents from crying, while being of no benefit to the 40% of residents/households that don't own a car.
Won't it be a lovely improvement to the town having more noisy traffic polluting the streets on a Sunday, going for a nice relaxing weekend stroll in our lovely town surrounded by more traffic than ever. Mmmm, I love the smell of diesel on a SundayGribbet

pachallis wrote:
Good old Kitcat – so let’s double parking costs on Sundays to reduce congestion, reduce emissions, increase council parking revenues and encourage visitors to do business in the city?

In fact why not triple parking costs – that must be even better?

What an anti-capitalist eco-activist ideological idiot he is – no wonder his own business has apparently gone bust!

You do know that parking charges have been frozen for the last two years running?

I guess you aren't going to reply to my response?

Sorry - are rolivan and Eugenius your pseudonyms?

The greens increased parking fees by up to 100% to allegedly fund various schemes such as 20mph zones, cycle lanes and concessionary bus fares in April 2012 and promised not to increase them again for 2 years.

Amazing! The greens actually kept a promise after 'driving away' residents and visitors to other towns.

Green-speak spinning again?

[quote][p][bold]rolivan[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Eugenius[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]pachallis[/bold] wrote:
Good old Kitcat – so let’s double parking costs on Sundays to reduce congestion, reduce emissions, increase council parking revenues and encourage visitors to do business in the city?
In fact why not triple parking costs – that must be even better?
What an anti-capitalist eco-activist ideological idiot he is – no wonder his own business has apparently gone bust![/p][/quote]You do know that parking charges have been frozen for the last two years running?[/p][/quote]I guess you aren't going to reply to my response?[/p][/quote]Sorry - are rolivan and Eugenius your pseudonyms?
The greens increased parking fees by up to 100% to allegedly fund various schemes such as 20mph zones, cycle lanes and concessionary bus fares in April 2012 and promised not to increase them again for 2 years.
Amazing! The greens actually kept a promise after 'driving away' residents and visitors to other towns.
Green-speak spinning again?pachallis

There is a bizarre irony that the moanerati that complain about congestion, now complain about cost of parking as they do about cycling and bus transport. I think they really want to gridlock the city.

I am not against variations in parking fees through the year (and that is the case already), but free parking in the summer months would lead to parking space hogging, cars driving around and around for a space and encourage even more people to drive into the city.

A lot of people come to the city from the urban areas along the coast, the Brighton lines and London. These people already have decent park-and-ride facilities...park the car outside the house and take public transport!

There is a bizarre irony that the moanerati that complain about congestion, now complain about cost of parking as they do about cycling and bus transport. I think they really want to gridlock the city.
I am not against variations in parking fees through the year (and that is the case already), but free parking in the summer months would lead to parking space hogging, cars driving around and around for a space and encourage even more people to drive into the city.
A lot of people come to the city from the urban areas along the coast, the Brighton lines and London. These people already have decent park-and-ride facilities...park the car outside the house and take public transport!HJarrs

ZeeGee, ffs wrote:
&quot; Councillor Jason Kitcat, chair of the policy and resources committee, said: “Offering free parking on a Sunday is likely to create more congestion and actually make it harder for those driving to find a parking space.

"That would have a negative impact on our economy. Retail research shows that parking controls encourage a turnover of customers that benefits nearby shops.” "

So he admits that parking fees deter people from coming to Brighton on a Sunday.

That's probably the intention, although why he is happy for people NOT to shop wasn't explained.

There are some well respected studies on this from Nantes and San Francisco - if parking is too cheap then the spaces get blocked by day trippers or commuters and residents coming to do their shopping can't easily find a parking space, so the time wasted driving round hunting for a space cuts into their available shopping time.

Can I remind everyone that the city council is facing a budget shortfall of £25 million next year thanks to the government's austerity programme.

I hope Labour and Tories do their homework on this before spending £3.5 million on an election year gimmick.

Can I remind YOU that the costs of any of these schemes would come from the £16m yearly profit the council makes from parking charges and fines. That profit can only be spent on transport issues not as you imply the general budget. So even if parking was made free for the whole weekend it still wouldn't affect the £25m budget shortfall.

Nice Green spin there by the way.

[quote][p][bold]Eugenius[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]ZeeGee, ffs[/bold] wrote:
" Councillor Jason Kitcat, chair of the policy and resources committee, said: “Offering free parking on a Sunday is likely to create more congestion and actually make it harder for those driving to find a parking space.
"That would have a negative impact on our economy. Retail research shows that parking controls encourage a turnover of customers that benefits nearby shops.” "
So he admits that parking fees deter people from coming to Brighton on a Sunday.
That's probably the intention, although why he is happy for people NOT to shop wasn't explained.[/p][/quote]There are some well respected studies on this from Nantes and San Francisco - if parking is too cheap then the spaces get blocked by day trippers or commuters and residents coming to do their shopping can't easily find a parking space, so the time wasted driving round hunting for a space cuts into their available shopping time.
Can I remind everyone that the city council is facing a budget shortfall of £25 million next year thanks to the government's austerity programme.
I hope Labour and Tories do their homework on this before spending £3.5 million on an election year gimmick.[/p][/quote]Can I remind YOU that the costs of any of these schemes would come from the £16m yearly profit the council makes from parking charges and fines. That profit can only be spent on transport issues not as you imply the general budget. So even if parking was made free for the whole weekend it still wouldn't affect the £25m budget shortfall.
Nice Green spin there by the way.Fight_Back

Andy R wrote:
Ahhh....the irony of free marketeers demanding state intervention to give away something that can be sold at a profit many times over in a day.........

Almost as ironic as the term 'pro-environmental green party'; 'green party consideration for residents and businesses' and an oxymoron such as 'green party responsibility'?

[quote][p][bold]Andy R[/bold] wrote:
Ahhh....the irony of free marketeers demanding state intervention to give away something that can be sold at a profit many times over in a day.........[/p][/quote]Almost as ironic as the term 'pro-environmental green party'; 'green party consideration for residents and businesses' and an oxymoron such as 'green party responsibility'?pachallis

Perhaps you should read the new Argus article 'Town centre visitors rise after car park fees cut' and see how lowering parking charges has increased visitors and the time they spend in Worthing.

I know if I have a choice of catching the bus into Brighton and paying £4 each for my wife and I to go by bus, or we can drive to Worthing and pay just £1 per hour any time of the day for parking, I know which I go for.

It seems the greens just don't seem to care about encouraging business but instead want to focus on getting funding for more and more vanity projects that help no one except their own egos.

I'd love to read your comments! Or perhaps it will just give you another chance to spin more socialist lies into a web of deceit?

To all irresponsible immature green fanbois,
Perhaps you should read the new Argus article 'Town centre visitors rise after car park fees cut' and see how lowering parking charges has increased visitors and the time they spend in Worthing.
I know if I have a choice of catching the bus into Brighton and paying £4 each for my wife and I to go by bus, or we can drive to Worthing and pay just £1 per hour any time of the day for parking, I know which I go for.
It seems the greens just don't seem to care about encouraging business but instead want to focus on getting funding for more and more vanity projects that help no one except their own egos.
I'd love to read your comments! Or perhaps it will just give you another chance to spin more socialist lies into a web of deceit?pachallis

Perhaps you should read the new Argus article 'Town centre visitors rise after car park fees cut' and see how lowering parking charges has increased visitors and the time they spend in Worthing.

I know if I have a choice of catching the bus into Brighton and paying £4 each for my wife and I to go by bus, or we can drive to Worthing and pay just £1 per hour any time of the day for parking, I know which I go for.

It seems the greens just don't seem to care about encouraging business but instead want to focus on getting funding for more and more vanity projects that help no one except their own egos.

I'd love to read your comments! Or perhaps it will just give you another chance to spin more socialist lies into a web of deceit?

Patchy demonstrating maturity again!

[quote][p][bold]pachallis[/bold] wrote:
To all irresponsible immature green fanbois,
Perhaps you should read the new Argus article 'Town centre visitors rise after car park fees cut' and see how lowering parking charges has increased visitors and the time they spend in Worthing.
I know if I have a choice of catching the bus into Brighton and paying £4 each for my wife and I to go by bus, or we can drive to Worthing and pay just £1 per hour any time of the day for parking, I know which I go for.
It seems the greens just don't seem to care about encouraging business but instead want to focus on getting funding for more and more vanity projects that help no one except their own egos.
I'd love to read your comments! Or perhaps it will just give you another chance to spin more socialist lies into a web of deceit?[/p][/quote]Patchy demonstrating maturity again!HJarrs

@Clouseasu - so do you have anything constructive to say about the greens wanting to encourage business then? Do the greens really want to discourage visitors and get them to go to other locations? I just don't understand what the greens are trying to do to the city?

@Clouseasu - so do you have anything constructive to say about the greens wanting to encourage business then? Do the greens really want to discourage visitors and get them to go to other locations? I just don't understand what the greens are trying to do to the city?pachallis

ZeeGee, ffs wrote:
&quot; Councillor Jason Kitcat, chair of the policy and resources committee, said: “Offering free parking on a Sunday is likely to create more congestion and actually make it harder for those driving to find a parking space.

"That would have a negative impact on our economy. Retail research shows that parking controls encourage a turnover of customers that benefits nearby shops.” "

So he admits that parking fees deter people from coming to Brighton on a Sunday.

That's probably the intention, although why he is happy for people NOT to shop wasn't explained.

There are some well respected studies on this from Nantes and San Francisco - if parking is too cheap then the spaces get blocked by day trippers or commuters and residents coming to do their shopping can't easily find a parking space, so the time wasted driving round hunting for a space cuts into their available shopping time.

Can I remind everyone that the city council is facing a budget shortfall of £25 million next year thanks to the government's austerity programme.

I hope Labour and Tories do their homework on this before spending £3.5 million on an election year gimmick.

Can I remind YOU that the costs of any of these schemes would come from the £16m yearly profit the council makes from parking charges and fines. That profit can only be spent on transport issues not as you imply the general budget. So even if parking was made free for the whole weekend it still wouldn't affect the £25m budget shortfall.

Nice Green spin there by the way.

Wrong - it would. £10 million of the parking surplus goes to pay for the concessionary bus passes (pensioners and disabled) the cost of which the government has passed to local councils while cutting overall funding. So if you make parking free the cost of the passes needs to be added to the £25m budget shortfall as we are legally obliged to pay for them and the money will have to be found from another budget in the General Fund.

[quote][p][bold]Fight_Back[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Eugenius[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]ZeeGee, ffs[/bold] wrote:
" Councillor Jason Kitcat, chair of the policy and resources committee, said: “Offering free parking on a Sunday is likely to create more congestion and actually make it harder for those driving to find a parking space.
"That would have a negative impact on our economy. Retail research shows that parking controls encourage a turnover of customers that benefits nearby shops.” "
So he admits that parking fees deter people from coming to Brighton on a Sunday.
That's probably the intention, although why he is happy for people NOT to shop wasn't explained.[/p][/quote]There are some well respected studies on this from Nantes and San Francisco - if parking is too cheap then the spaces get blocked by day trippers or commuters and residents coming to do their shopping can't easily find a parking space, so the time wasted driving round hunting for a space cuts into their available shopping time.
Can I remind everyone that the city council is facing a budget shortfall of £25 million next year thanks to the government's austerity programme.
I hope Labour and Tories do their homework on this before spending £3.5 million on an election year gimmick.[/p][/quote]Can I remind YOU that the costs of any of these schemes would come from the £16m yearly profit the council makes from parking charges and fines. That profit can only be spent on transport issues not as you imply the general budget. So even if parking was made free for the whole weekend it still wouldn't affect the £25m budget shortfall.
Nice Green spin there by the way.[/p][/quote]Wrong - it would. £10 million of the parking surplus goes to pay for the concessionary bus passes (pensioners and disabled) the cost of which the government has passed to local councils while cutting overall funding. So if you make parking free the cost of the passes needs to be added to the £25m budget shortfall as we are legally obliged to pay for them and the money will have to be found from another budget in the General Fund.Eugenius